North Central Florida celebrates Children’s Table founder’s 97th birthday

The community came together to celebrate a man who has helped hundreds of thousands of people across North Central Florida.
Published: May 2, 2026 at 11:19 PM EDT

BRONSON, Fla. (WCJB) - The community came together to celebrate a man who has helped hundreds of thousands of people across North Central Florida.

Residents visited the Bronson Elementary School cafeteria on Saturday to say happy 97th birthday to Bill Brown.

He and his wife Verna started the Children’s Table, a nonprofit food bank. What began as the two sharing vegetables from their garden grew to a massive operation, which helps feed more than 110,000 people annually.

“Mister Bill” can still be found helping out at the Children’s Table every Monday morning.

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